LAST Monday was Sept 16 and along with it came royalty and the country’s top policymakers to Kuching for a grand bash to mark Malaysia Day. The declaration of Sept 16 as a public holiday has been something long awaited for by Malaysians in Sarawak and Sabah.
This year, it also brought along a sense of realisation among online portal news writers who grew up in Peninsular Malaysia, just how significant the day is to Sarawakians and Sabahans, and how much more they have yet to learn about East Malaysians.
Many wrote, with regret, as to how they grew up knowing very little about the two states and with the belief that Aug 31 was the day of independence for Malaysia, forgetting that Sarawak and Sabah were not part of the declaration of independence in 1957.
Others wrote on how Malaysians in the peninsula should take a leaf out of the books of Sarawak and Sabah, where tolerance and unity among diverse races and religion are concerned. Perhaps the national level celebration for Malaysia Day in Kuching last Monday brought about that realisation, if not to all Malaysians, at least to some.
If not for the declaration of Sept 16 as a public holiday, the realisation that Sarawak and Sabah are equal partners in this federation may have never dawned upon Malaysians in the peninsula. For those who cannot be bothered, it was just another public holiday, with no real significance.
Which, brings us to the Malaysia Day celebrations held at Padang Merdeka. Being Sarawakians, it was only natural that we did our very best to put on a grand event and as usual, went out of our way to extend our warm welcome to our VVIP guests from across the sea.
The parade was grand, with the aerial display by Sukhoi fighter jet pilots stealing the show. Photos of the aerial acrobatics were uploaded by the dozens in real time on social networking, while common garden birds hid beneath rafters and house pets sought refuge from the thundering sounds of the planes’ engines.
Observing the animals’ reactions towards the jet engines roaring above our heads, several of us gathered at a friend’s balcony thought why not come up with celebratory parades with a difference the next time?
Parades that are without cars emitting exhaust fumes while waiting in line, without fuel guzzling big bikes and, yes, without roaring machines in the skies.
We would rather have parades that are ‘green’ and environmentally friendly. Parades that do not encourage the littering of plastic bags, drinks bottles and Styrofoam food containers.
Parades that highlight Sarawak and identify with the beautiful environment and rich wildlife that surround us – cut the fuel guzzlers out of these parades. There is really no need to show off anything motorised.
Let’s take it a step further. We all know how those who march in parades are often made up of the support staff of ministries and government departments, while the political bigwigs sit in the audience.
Why not have parades where the ministers themselves are in the lead, followed by their highest ranking officials in their respective ministries. The same goes for political leaders of both divides, leading their strong men and women in the parade, side by side, irrespective of their ideologies.
The suggestion does not mean to disrespect the big shots at all. Look at it this way instead — parades to mark the birth of a nation are the perfect opportunities for the people to get to know their leaders and for these leaders to stand before the people who voted for them as equals.
And what better way to do so than to come out and show the people who they are and what they represent during the Malaysia Day parade? What better time for our political leaders to come forward in front of the masses to renew their pledge to the rakyat and the monarchy?
Malaysia Day was also greeted by the news of the passing of Chin Peng, known most as a communist and a terrorist who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people who had once walked the land we now know as Malaysia.
It seems rather ironic that he passed away on Malaysia Day, for, if the Communist Party of Malaya did have its way back then, the Malaysia we know today may not even exist.
To others, Chin Peng is recognised as a freedom fighter. And they are not wrong to think so. He, after all, fought for a cause and the type of governance that he believed in.
The brouhaha over having his remains barred from entering Malaysian soil has drawn much criticism. The government is worried that having his remains back on Malaysian soil would create unrest among survivors of the days of communism and families who lost loved ones.
Leaders from the ruling coalition are all out to stop Chin Peng’s remains from ever touching Malaysian soil, calling him a traitor. Others, meanwhile, feel the matter is much ado about nothing and our authorities’ resources should be better used for greater concerns, rather than to stop the ashes of a dead man from entering the country.
Yet, the person who got shot by the communists back in the day, former police chief Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng has forgiven the late Chin Peng.
This, Eye believe, is the mark of a true man. A man who does not allow grudges to fester and destroy his very being. A man who does not allow personal feelings to cloud his judgement.
Now, if only our political leaders were more like Tan Sri Yuen – a person who holds on to the very basic principles of his religion and remains humble.
Eye believe humility is the pillar of integrity. If this nation is to climb to greater heights and Sarawak is to be given due recognition as an equal partner in this federation of Malaysia, we need leaders like Tan Sri Yuen. Men and women on both sides of the sea who know the true meaning of humility, who understand that all religions teach the same principles in life, and that no one is superior to the other.
Comments can reach the writer via [email protected].